Tuesday 25 August 2009

SCIENCE-FICTION REVIEW: Oceanic - Greg Egan


BOOK BLURB:

Collected together here for the first time are twelve stories by the incomparable Greg Egan, one of the most exciting writers of science fiction working today. In these dozen glimpses into the future Egan continues to explore the essence of what it is to be human, and the nature of what - and who - we are, in stories that range from parables of contemporary human conflict and ambition to far-future tales of our immortal descendants. Return to the universe of the meta-civilisation known as the Amalgam, which Egan explored in his critically acclaimed novel Incandescence: 'Riding the Crocodile', which recounts an epic endeavour a million years from now to bridge the divide between the Amalgam and the reclusive Aloof; 'Glory', set in the same future, in which two archaeologists strive to decipher the artefacts of an ancient civilisation, and 'Hot Rock', where an obscure, sunless world conceals mind-spinning technological marvels, bitter factional struggles, and a many-layered secret history. This superb collection also includes the title story, the Hugo Award-winning 'Oceanic': a boy is inducted into a religion that becomes the centre of his life, but as an adult he must face evidence that casts a new light on his faith.



REVIEW:

With people always rushing around there are times when you’re on a journey and only short story fiction will hit the spot and allow you to carry on. Presented here for the first time in one novel (although they have been presented in various magazines) are twelve short stories by Greg that will amaze, enthral and confound the reader each in different measures as he demonstrates various tricks, twists and above all masterful storytelling to the captivated audience. Well written as well as beautifully executed there’s a tale in this novel for fans of virtually all subgenres of Science Fiction. A great book to own and something to give you those bite sized chunks that will help your breaks pass amazingly fast.

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